Birds and Eagles

An eagle is a kind of bird. Headline writers adore short words which fit nicely into headlines. Sports writers in general are very fond of synonyms. By calling the "Eagles", "Birds" every so often they avoid monotony.

I see it somewhat differently.

In a technical sense, the words "eagles" and "birds" are not synonyms.

I feel that the use of "birds" has the advantage of brevity (as you commented), and it is also breezy and informal in tone, quite suitable in a sports context.

Eagles: formal and correct as a short-form name for the Philadelphia Eagles

Birds: brief, breezy, and informal - rather slangy

One last observation:

The name "Eagles" connotes strength, majesty, and cunning. A predator.

The name "Birds" connotes weakness, absurdity, and stupidity. The prey.

In football, you want your team to be the predator and your opponent to be the prey.

So while a team may embrace it as a sort of psychological device, like the Packers embraced the derogatory "cheesehead", it's probably not used by Eagles fans.

Okay, not a comment on "birds" or "eagles" but on "Aa". I remember that name from another forum and I'm wondering if you might be she of the A'a, Aa?

Thank you. And especially Sozoby for you answered many of my questions and you point out something I have never expected: Bird, the prey;Eagle, the predator. Haha. Thank you all.

boomerang: Yes, I am Aa (briefly written as a'a) of long-ago Abuzz days.

translatorcz: I think it's interesting about whether birds, among other creatures, are prey or predator. In the "food chain", in which the larger creatures eat the smaller creatures, some birds can be both prey and predator. For example, a pigeon eats insects but is in turn eaten by hawks.

Most people would not consider the robin to be a predator, but from a worm's-eye view (the point of view of a worm), the robin is a predator.

What worm, please?

From an eagle's point of view, its good to be at the top of the food chain.

This one has no eyes!

Welcome to A2K AA. I remember you too, as a very bright and accurate poster on Abuzz.

Yes! It is great to see you again Aa!

AA--

Good to see you again. I hope you keep posting.

cjhsa, boomerang, and Noddy24: Thank you all! A good-humored discussion such as this one is encouragement to remain at A2K and play.

Francis: You ask "What worm?" - any worm at all with do. I could not pull up the worm image you posted, but I'm not surprised that such tiny, earth-bound creatures can come in varieties without eyes.

timberlandko: You're right about the eagle not being prey in the food chain. It would take a bird of little brain to attack an eagle.

The food chain is actually circular, if you think of the post-mortem destiny of human beings. Worms and ants seem to be near the bottom of the food chain, but ultimately they close the circle.